Chris Dreja, a founding member of the legendary rock group the Yardbirds, has passed away at 79. His death was confirmed by his sister-in-law, Muriel Levy, and former bandmate, Jimmy Page, via social media. The cause of his death remains undisclosed.
Levy shared her sorrow on Threads, revealing that Dreja had been battling health problems for several years. She extended her sympathies to her sister Kate, who had been looking after Dreja, and his daughter Jackie. Page also took to Instagram to honor Dreja, recognizing his substantial contributions to the Yardbirds as a rhythm guitarist and bass player.
Fans and followers of the Yardbirds and Dreja expressed their condolences and shared their memories of the musician on social media. One fan pointed out Dreja’s skill as a photographer, showcasing his work on the back cover of Led Zeppelin’s debut album.
Dreja was a versatile artist, celebrated for his music and photography. He co-founded the Yardbirds in London in 1963 with Top Topham and co-wrote many of the band’s songs. He also designed the cover art for The Yardbirds’ self-titled 1966 album, often referred to as “Roger the Engineer.”
The Yardbirds, initially known as the Metropolitan Blues Quartet, featured other prominent members such as vocalist Keith Relf, bassist Paul Samwell-Smith, and drummer Jim McCarty. The band is also recognized for kickstarting the careers of famous guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page.
The Yardbirds enjoyed considerable success in the 1960s, releasing several hit records including “For Your Love,” “Heart Full of Soul,” and “Over Under Sideways Down.” After the band broke up in 1968, Dreja turned his attention to his photography career.
Beyond his work with the Yardbirds, Dreja also played in the band Box of Frogs alongside Samwell-Smith and McCarty. Dreja and McCarty brought the Yardbirds back to life in the 1990s and continued to perform together until Dreja’s health compelled him to retire from music in 2012.